January 2018http://www.greenwichconservatives.com/archives/201801
enConservatives call for X161 bus route to spread Crossrail benefitshttp://www.greenwichconservatives.com/news/1862
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>Local Conservative councillors in Greenwich are campaigning for a new ‘X161’ express bus route help tackle the borough’s north-south transport divide.</p><p>The new ‘X161’ express route would run from Mottingham to Crossrail, via Eltham and Shooters Hill – aiming to spread the benefits of greater connectivity to central London to many more local residents.</p><p>Conservative councillors proposed the route in the recent Transport for London consultation, while Labour-run Greenwich Council failed to make the case for a specific X161 route as Conservative councillors had asked. Transport for London have not included a south-north express route in their plans.</p><p>Opposition Conservative councillors are now proposing a motion at January’s Full Council meeting and have asked Labour councillors to vote to back the plan on a cross-party basis.</p><p>Cllr Matt Clare, Greenwich Conservative Transport Spokesperson, said: “It is crucial that we bring the benefits of Crossrail to the whole borough. The new X161 bus route that we have proposed would connect Mottingham, Eltham and Shooters Hill to the Woolwich Crossrail station – and help drive more people to use public transport and off our congested roads.”</p><p>Cllr Clare added: “What we need from the council and Transport for London is a much more strategic vision for north-south transport links in our borough. Conservative councillors will continue to make this case.”</p><p>The Conservative motion for Full Council can be found at <a href="http://committees.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/documents/s61289/Motion%20-%20Council%20calls%20for%20X161%20express%20bus%20route%20to%20Crossrail.pdf ">http://committees.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/documents/s61289/Motion%20-%20Council%20calls%20for%20X161%20express%20bus%20route%20to%20Crossrail.pdf </a></p><p>The full motion, which will be proposed by Cllr Matt Clare and seconded by Cllr Matt Hartley, reads:</p><p><strong>Council calls for X161 express bus route to Crossrail </strong></p><p>Council notes the enormous benefits that Crossrail will bring to the borough. Council believes these benefits should be spread right across the borough – including residents living in the south of the borough as well as the north.</p><p>Council believes that unless there is an express bus route connecting the south of the borough to Crossrail, residents in many of our communities will not have the access they deserve to the many benefits that the Elizabeth Line will bring.</p><p>Council regrets that such a south-north express route is not currently included in Transport for London’s plans, and that this was not included in its most recent consultation on future bus routes.</p><p>Council further regrets that under its most recently published plans, the existing 161 route would actually stop further away from the site of Woolwich Crossrail than it does now. The lack of a south-north express route compounds the problems faced by residents in New Eltham and Mottingham in particular, who remain woefully under-served by direct bus routes to the north of the borough.</p><p>Council therefore calls on Transport for London to commit to introducing an X161 express bus route from Mottingham to Woolwich Crossrail via Eltham and Shooters Hill.</p><p>The X161 route should follow a route similar to the following:</p><p>- Mottingham village<br />- Mottingham Train Station<br />- Court Yard/Eltham Church (one side each way, optimised for traffic light movements)<br />- Eltham Train Station<br />- Shooters Hill Road<br />- Woolwich Crossrail<br />- Plumstead (turnaround)</p><p>Council notes that the X161 service proposed based on the route above would mean that travel from Eltham to Canary Wharf, the West End and Heathrow would be quicker via bus and Crossrail, than via train and tube/DLR. Council further notes that the route would be of particular benefit to Shooters Hill residents who do not benefit from any nearby rail link.</p><p>Council requests that the Cabinet Member for Transport writes to the Mayor of London, as chair of the Transport for London board, to formally request an X161 service with a detailed proposal based on the route above.</p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-2 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/crossrail">Crossrail</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/x161">X161</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/bus-routes">bus routes</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/transport">transport</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/transport-london">Transport for London</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-1 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Ward:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/greenwich-federation">Greenwich Federation</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/eltham">Eltham</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/cn">Coldharbour and New Eltham</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/en">Eltham North</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/es">Eltham South</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/ew">Eltham West</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/kh">Kidbrooke with Hornfair</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/ms">Middle Park and Sutcliffe</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/sh">Shooters Hill</a></div></div></div>Wed, 31 Jan 2018 10:26:23 +0000Matt.Hartley1862 at http://www.greenwichconservatives.comCouncillor secures repairs to local memorialhttp://www.greenwichconservatives.com/news/1861
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>Since July 2017, Blackheath Westcombe Councillor Geoff Brighty has been working to get the Gibb Memorial, at the top of Maze Hill, repaired by Greenwich Council. The four clocks at the top of the memorial had stopped working and the benching and glazing on the memorial had been damaged, with some glazing missing altogether.</p><p>Most of the work was completed by September. Unfortunately, the clocks needed more work. After a follow-up request by Cllr Brighty, an engineer was sent to inspect them and they were repaired again.</p><p><img height="188" width="250" class="media-element file-default" src="http://www.greenwichconservatives.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/IMG_4512_0.JPG?itok=VeDgyVWh" alt="" title="" />The Council plans further work to the memorial, which includes replacing the timber boarding in the ceiling.</p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-2 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/memorial">memorial</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-1 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Ward:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/bw">Blackheath Westcombe</a></div></div></div>Sun, 14 Jan 2018 17:52:02 +0000Mark Elliott1861 at http://www.greenwichconservatives.comDr Brenda Lobo selected as candidate for Eltham Northhttp://www.greenwichconservatives.com/news/1860
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>Dr Brenda Lobo has been selected as one of the Conservative candidates for Eltham North ward, ahead of the next Council elections in May. Brenda has recently retired, having worked for the NHS for more than 40 years, and has lived in Eltham North ward since 1988, with her three children all attending local schools. Now that she has more time, Brenda would like to represent the ward that she has been a part of for the past 30 years.</p><p>Brenda has been a Parent Governor and been involved with her local church community – Christ Church on the High Street. Her eldest son, Michael, was Church Organist and Choir Master for many years and her husband is the Honorary Halls Secretary. Brenda has worked in every local hospital in the area and retired as a Pain Specialist at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Woolwich. Brenda is originally from India and came to the UK in 1973 after being offered a job in the NHS.</p><p>Brenda is a member of the local Eltham Leisure Centre, attending pilates, yoga and spinning classes. She also enjoys playing bridge, gardening and travelling; and volunteers for the Open City organisation. Brenda said: "I am delighted to stand as a Conservative council candidate and will continue to stand up for Eltham – an area I am proud to have been a part of for the last 30 years."</p><p>Her skills and experience in the NHS will be a valuable asset in maintaining and improving access to healthcare for the local community in the current challenging time.</p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-2 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/candidates">Candidates</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-1 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Ward:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/en">Eltham North</a></div></div></div>Fri, 12 Jan 2018 10:41:06 +0000Mark Elliott1860 at http://www.greenwichconservatives.comConservatives call for Maze Hill and Westcombe Park stations to be rezonedhttp://www.greenwichconservatives.com/news/1859
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>The local Conservative team is petitioning Transport for London to rezone Westcombe Park and Maze Hill stations from Zone 3 to Zone 2. This would bring the stations into line with North Greenwich, which is a similar distance from central London and is designated as being in Zone 2. This change would save local commuters more than £260 a year.</p><p>Local commuter Thomas Turrell said: “The London zones are out of date, most evidently at Westcombe Hill and Maze Hill. Local commuters are paying more than they should. We want this unfairness to be addressed and want to put money back into local people’s pockets.”</p><p>Malcolm Reid added: “We need to encourage more people to use public transport to reduce congestion and improve air quality. These kind of inconsistencies in the zoning damage faith in public transport and undermine these efforts."</p><p>Sign the petition online at tinyURL.com/RezoneWPandMH.</p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-2 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/public-transport">Public Transport</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-1 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Ward:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/bw">Blackheath Westcombe</a></div></div></div>Thu, 11 Jan 2018 11:48:33 +0000Mark Elliott1859 at http://www.greenwichconservatives.comBid To Save Local NatWest Branch From Closurehttp://www.greenwichconservatives.com/news/1858
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>In December, Natwest announced it would be closing its branch on Old Dover Road, which serves Blackheath, Westcombe Park and Charlton. Your local Conservatives are campaigning to save the branch from closure. Sign the petition online at ipetitions.com/petition/keep-blackheath-westcombe-park-natwest-open.</p><p>The Blackheath and Westcombe Park Branch serves residents and local businesses in Blackheath, Westcombe Park and Charlton. Natwest customers will have to go to either Greenwich or Lewisham if the branch closes.</p><p>Local Councillor Geoff Brighty said: “Local traders and shopkeepers, as well as those residents who are less mobile or less comfortable using online banking, rely on local branches. If this branch closes, then only the Barclays Bank will remain. Not every banking task can be done online and the banks shouldn’t be making it harder to access them."</p><p>Thomas Turrell added: “Research by the Federation of Small Businesses found that bank closures have an negative impact on local shops. Cash can’t be deposited online and, when discussing financial matters, some people feel more comfortable having a face-to-face chat rather than over the phone or through an app. This closure will affect easy access to these services and I hope it does not hurt our fantastic local shops."</p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-2 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/bank">bank</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-1 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Ward:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/bw">Blackheath Westcombe</a></div></div></div>Tue, 09 Jan 2018 22:04:22 +0000Mark Elliott1858 at http://www.greenwichconservatives.comEltham South Community Litter Pickhttp://www.greenwichconservatives.com/news/1857
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>Eltham South Conservative candidate Pat Greenwell launched the first Eltham South Community Litter pick on the first Sunday of the new year.</p><p>Dozens of local residents volunteered a couple of hours on a bright but cold Sunday morning to help collect litter from a number of sites across the ward.</p><p>Residents were supported by Council officers, who supplied by the kit, and a team from Network SouthEast who helped the volunteers by clearing banks around New Eltham Railway Station. At one point, four separate teams were working across Eltham South.</p><p>More than two dozen bags of litter were collected, with waste carefully separated into two sets so anything that could be recycled would be sent on to the right plant.</p><p>The Community Association of New Eltham (CANE) supplied tables and shelters for the collection point and the Co-Op in Footscray Road helped with a power supply and some bottles of water.</p><p>"This is exactly the sort of community effort we need," said Pat. "We're all determined to make the area where we live cleaner and safer. I've had so many people get in touch thanking us for the project that I'd like to see us run this more regularly."</p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-2 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/litter">litter</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-1 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Ward:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/es">Eltham South</a></div></div></div>Mon, 08 Jan 2018 13:48:23 +0000Mark Elliott1857 at http://www.greenwichconservatives.com